Nigeria arrests 15 Russian sailors carrying arms

Nigerian authorities seized a ship and arrested its 15 Russian crew members on suspicion of arms smuggling, after they found several guns and about 8,500 rounds of ammunition on the boat, the Navy said on Tuesday.

The vessel was intercepted at the weekend in Lagos, one of Africa's busiest ports, Navy spokesman, Commodore Aliyu Kabiru said.

It was gathered that boat, flying a Dutch flag, belonged to the Moran Security Group which is based in Moscow, he added.

“The vessel was carrying 8,598 ammunition and different rifles. Investigations are still ongoing,” he said.

An unidentified Navy source said 22 Benelli MR1 rifles and several other automatic weapons were found.